Christmas tree picking

One of our favorite Christmas tradition is picking out our tree that goes in the living room.  We prefer to go the weekend after Thanksgiving so we have a full month to enjoy it.  Plus, it's a great way to kick off the holiday season.  As in previous year, we went to Holiday Tree Farm in August.  Today, the weather was warmer than we expected - it was perfect for us to walk around and look at as many tree as possible.  This year, we found it harder to pick the right tree.  Trees were either not full enough, too many "bald spots", not the right height, etc.  It was also particularly harder because this year we had three opinions.  Dylan made sure he weighed in the decision.  After checking out many many many trees, we finally decided on one that everyone was happy with.

Logan was fascinated with putting the tree on top of Daddy's truck and Dylan was more thrilled about the idea of having the Santa train around the tree. 

Logan asked specifically to take a picture in front of this tree.  It was his choice, but just about 4 feet too short

Beginning our walk in search for this year's Christmas tree

our handsome boys

Daddy measuring to make sure it's the right dimensions

Helping Mommy and Daddy find our tree

It was a lot harder than it looked!

Everyone was happy - we found our Christmas tree!

boys watching Daddy cut our tree

They were such great helpers

They even wanted to help Daddy tie the tree on top of the truck.

All done and ready to take home!

Dylan's favorite - setting up Santa's train under the tree.  The boys sat here for hours just walking the train.

Putting the star topper

Turkey Day

As every year, Thanksgiving Day is hectic for our family.  It's a day that we love celebrating with all of our loved ones.  We make every attempt to drop by and say hello to everyone.  First stop is Grandma and Uncle Tommy's house for a late lunch/early dinner.  We enjoyed a very traditional Thanksgiving with turkey, cranberry sauce, gravy, stuffing, and lots of pies and cakes.  Then at Lolo and Lola's house, we engorge in a variety of food from turkey to paella to puto.  The kids had a great time, as always.  Even though it was already past their bedtime, both boys fought their sleepiness in anticipation for Josh's house.  So we headed over to the Spurlin's for dessert where the boys enjoyed playing with their cousins and ALL of their toys. 

We were so busy this day that we forgot to take a picture (very unlike us!).

We did capture this ONE picture.  All there boys playing with each other.  Dylan and Logan love getting in Jaden's face - for some reason they think Jaden can't see or hear them unless they are close and personal. 

Of course besides all of the food and celebration, we never forget all the things that we are grateful for, especially on this day.  We are so blessed to be surrounded with so  much love.  We are thankful for everything is our lives, all big and small. 

Dylan is thankful for his family - Mommy, Daddy, Logan, Baby Jaden and Ate Cece.  He recently told a friend in school that he has two brothers and a sister ;-)

Choo Choo... Logan turns TWO

Logan's 2nd birthday celebration started out with a party at Monkeydoodles Playroom with Logan's 16 little friends.  The kids played with the ball pit, kitchen, bubbles, tunnels, slides, carts, parachutes, and musical instruments.  Logan's favorites were the ball pit and the play kitchen along with the shopping cart.  They sang songs like "Get up and Dance" and Wheels on the Bus" and danced around.  After about an hour of running around and trying out the cool new toys, everyone headed into the party room where kids had pizza while the adults munched on croissant sandwiches.  Then we all sang Happy Birthday to Logan and enjoyed his cupcake cake.  It was a fun-filled morning with our closest friends.  On our way home, we asked Logan if he had fun and he nodded with his infamous "Yesh".

After the morning party, Logan took a nap to get ready for the afternoon celebration with family.  All of the cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents came to greet Logan on his special day.  With lots of food (mostly thanks to Lolo, Lola, Grandma, Uncle Tommy and Auntie Ely), laughs and play time, Logan (and even Dylan) had such a great time.  It was nice to spend time with those we hardly get to see on a regular basis. Seeing Logan play with his older cousins made us realize what a big boy he's become.

After everyone left, we let the kids stay up a little bit to open presents.  Boy, did Logan get a ton of presents - clothes, books, trains, cars - he is one lucky kid! Dylan was just as excited - "wow Logan, look at OUR new toys."

the sign outside Monkeydoodles Playroom

Logan's birthday cupcake cake that Mommy ordered and decorated herself

The kids' party favors.  Each one got a goodie bag filled with some of Logan's favorite treats, train whistle, conductor's hat and activity books.  They also each got a cake pop.

The kids singing Happy Birthday during circle time.  Seconds later, Logan took off his hat. 

Playing with instruments

 

The parachute was a hit with the kids

  

Jumping into the ball pit - one of Logan's favorite

Not quite the right way to use the see-saw, but it'll do!

Our favorite picture of the day - shows his witty, charming, fun personality

lots the kids crammed into the ball pit

Daddy playing with Logan - this was probably the only time Logan let Daddy hold him.  He was just way too busy playing.

Shoving food in his mouth as fast as he can.

eating pizza like pro!

Choo---Choo---All Aboard!!

He was so excited to blow out his candles that he did it even before the happy birthday song ended. 

cake time!!!

cousins in the playroom. 
(Dylan was very excited to have kids over at the house)

blowing at his candles take 2

spent most of the afternoon coloring and drawing

  

patiently waiting for Daddy to bring in all the gifts and set them in the family room

his birthday loot

Time to open the presents!!!

One very happy lucky boy!

On the actual day of his birthday, Daddy and I sneaked into his room to put out some balloons and lay out his NEW trains.  We had to do it really quick though.  He's such a light sleeper that he actually woke up and we had to run out.  When he got up the next day, Mommy heard Logan yell out "choo-choo, I want choo-choo".  Logan was thrilled to see all the trains in his room and even Dylan was excited to play with them too. 

Then off to school for a party with his friends and teachers.  Logan brought in munchkins and goodie bags for all the kids.  

That afternoon, Daddy took a half day, picked up the kids from school and came home to give Logan the rest of his gifts - his very first Trike from Mommy and Daddy and a Blue's Clues stuffed animal from Dylan. 

Another surprise for Logan - his first experience at the movie theaters.  We've heard great reviews about Puss in Boots so we decided he might really enjoy it and we were right!  He sat in his own chair, with his own popcorn and juice, and watched the movie without a fuss.  He's such a big boy!  After the movies, we headed to dinner at Red Robins where Logan had his favorite for dinner - mac and cheese and mandarin oranges.  It was a perfect day for our perfect little 2 year old.